Mac Steeves is the one for Needham

Saturday, November 17, 2012 -- Anonymous (not verified)

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Author(s):

Richard Murray

WORCESTER — After missing on three point-blank opportunities in the second half, Needham star Mac Steeves finally scored with under 10 minutes to play to lift the Rockets past Amherst, 1-0, in the Division 1 boys soccer state championship last night at Worcester State.

Both defenses kept each other in check with neither side creating many chances. By halftime, both teams had registered just one shot on goal.

“Our defense has been very underrated all year long. Some have been talking about our offense a lot, but our defense has had an awful lot of shutouts,” Needham coach Don Brock said.

The Hurricanes had a couple chances in the second half, but could not capitalize. Mike Rock got into two separate foot races with Needham goalie Kevin MacMillan for loose balls, but MacMillan beat Rock each time. Eric Gooden and Brandon Vazquez also missed on opportunities in the box as Needham’s defense tightened up.

“We just shut down the best forward in the state in Somerville’s Felix De Bona the game before, and to now (get a shutout) in the championship is just unbelievable,” Steeves said.

Steeves had some prime chances to put his team up, but he fired wide on three separate occasions during a six-minute span of the second half.

But the senior star finally put one home with 9:42 to play, as he beat Amherst goalie Curtis Barnes to a loose ball. Just before colliding with the keeper, Steeves flipped the ball over Barnes, and Amherst defender Jaimon Olmstead could not chase it down before the ball crossed the goal line.

“I thought it was going to go over the top, but it took a weird bounce and went in,” Brock said. “Steeves has done this all year long. He has been an impact player here. It was a big goal for him.”

Amherst could not find the back of the Rockets’ goal as time expired despite a last minute scrum in front of the goal. MacMillan held the fort for the club’s 16th shutout of the season, handing the legendary Brock his third championship in his 46 years at the Rockets’ helm.